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Robots to help Muslim pilgrims at holy sites in Saudi Arabia

The robots will explain prayer rituals in Mecca and Medina in multiple languages, according to Saudi religious authorities.
FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

The authorities responsible for Islam’s holiest sites have announced a new fleet of robots to assist female worshippers. 

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said the “smart guidance” robots will explain prayer rituals and Islamic declarations known as fatwas in the women’s sections of the Great Mosque of Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina in Saudi Arabia. They will also answer questions about the holy sites and allow women to communicate with scholars. The robots offer answers in 11 languages including English, Turkish, Persian and Urdu as well as Arabic. The wheeled robots communicate via touch screens, read a presidential press release yesterday. 

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